One day at work, a moment unfolded that stuck with me. A woman came in with her friend, visibly upset. She was almost in tears, explaining to her friend how unfair her experiences with fashion had been.
“It’s probably not any better at a place like this!” she exclaimed, gesturing to the store. She then shared a recent experience at a jewelry store down the street where none of the rings on display fit her. She declared, “Fashion is fat phobic,” and shared how this wasn’t a one-time occurrence. It happened to her everywhere she went.
Her frustration was palpable. She explained to her friend that she regularly wrote reviews for places that weren’t size-inclusive because she believed it was essential to call out the industry’s lack of inclusivity. As she browsed through our racks, her frustration grew when she struggled to find clothes in her size.
I could feel her pain, and I wanted to help. I take pride in having one of the widest ranges of sizes for a consignment boutique, so I explained our approach to her.
I told her, “Our larger-sized clothing tends to sell out quickly. There are a couple of reasons for that. First, people are more likely to outgrow their smaller-sized clothes, so those items get consigned more often. Second, the average American woman is a size 14, so larger sizes are more popular and leave the store faster.”
She was thankful for the explanation, but her frustration remained. And honestly, I couldn’t blame her. The fashion industry has a long history of catering to a narrow definition of beauty, often excluding plus-size individuals altogether. From the lack of size inclusivity in many stores to the way brands market their products, it’s no wonder she felt excluded.
Her experience was a reminder of how much work still needs to be done to make fashion truly inclusive. As someone in this industry, I see the disparities firsthand, and I’m committed to doing what I can to bridge the gap. Everyone deserves to feel seen, valued, and represented when they shop—whether it’s for clothes, jewelry, or anything else.
Fashion should empower, not exclude. And until that’s the norm, we all need to keep pushing for change.
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